These are another good example/contrast of my two photography techniques - both taken in the same place at the same time. I'm already adjusting the way I edit the blackout method in response to some of your feedback, and I plan to shoot a little differently in the future, too, to maybe include more of the background ala that Wonder Woman shot a few photos up.

It's a tricky beast, trying to find the sweet spot between journalistic convention coverage (ie, making you feel like you're there with me) and doing the costumes justice with detailed beauty shots. Obviously the cosplayers prefer the blackouts - as do I, they're so fun to edit - but I promise to always have plenty of atmosphere and non-flash shots, too.

Besides, where there's lots of light and minimal crowds, it's a no-brainer to go without flash:

Vi from League of Legends and Mantis from Guardians 2.

Day of the Dead couple & Croquet Harley.

This Cyclops had a video screen animation for his eye, which was suuuper cool and I'm so glad it shows up in this photo:

Also he is very tall.

I spotted this Harley/Belle and Joker/Beast sitting on the floor in the food court:

I don't think I've seen this mashup done before, and they really nailed it.

Here comes my favorite father/daughter cosplay of the con:

Astrid with her dragon Stormfly!

I had a hard time photographing Stormfly because from face-on all you see is mouth, but he kept turning to follow my camera as I walked around him to get a side shot, ha. Later John went over to suggest a down-and-to-the-side head position, which worked loads better.

Sylvanas from WoW and a gender-swapped Aloy from the new Horizon Zero Dawn:

Oh! Here comes another of my top favorites: either a gender-swapped Wonder Woman or a Spartan/ Wonder Woman mashup:

Whichever, it is totally badass. Love how he incorporated her tiara design into the helmet.

This next warrior is a little less badass, but you guys: Samurai Hello Kitty.

Wha whaaaaaat. Love it. Plus this is an Epbot reader, Chris Dimoff, who John and I got to chat with for a bit. It was really cool seeing all the detail he put into that helmet/head especially. So good.

Speaking of samurais, this Rorschach one had the coolest effect on his face covering: the ink blot changed from black to white as he breathed, I assume from a temperature-reactive dye:

SO COOL.

And now... Yoshi!

Don't you just want to hug him?

DramaticStorm and Jessie Quick, aka the DC Bombshells version of The Flash:

And finally, I'll leave you with the cosplay group that almost broke the con. Two words, gang: LEGEND. ARY.

It's the goblin riders from Labyrinth! Plus Sarah & Jareth, and even a Jim Henson with Kermit for good measure.

You've seen that Jareth and Sarah here before (they're my friends Dana & Alexie), so I was mostly going gaga for the goblins. Just look at these details!

Alexie is pointing the little Easter Egg on the back: a Sarah "WANTED" poster!

Here one of the goblins has (temporarily) lost its mount:

And one more:

I am completely awestruck. And yes, maybe a teensy bit sad we didn't have our Junk Lady with us this year for a photo together. Mostly awestruck, though, and so, so happy these Riders exist. After the past couple weeks of Real Life worries and assorted Irma ickiness, this is the kind of stuff that reminds me life is pretty dang awesome, and I'm so lucky to rub elbows with the best community of nerdy nerds on the planet. ;)

Smooches to all of you, and stay tuned for plenty more.

P.S. Please do ID any cosplayers you recognize in the comments, so I can credit them!

The Wonder Woman is Damita Howard, a professional stuntwoman. We were on the Atlanta Rollergirls derby team together many years ago, and she is just as cool and badass in person as she looks in that photo.

The Samurai Hello Kitty is Chris Dimoff. I could've sworn I gave you my card. Your new flash technique is really simple & effective. I'm glad you braved the weather. I managed to get out of your neck of the woods just in time.

Chris! Hi! I'm sure you did give me a card, but we've been camping out at various friends' houses after Irma so I don't have the cards with me - so sorry about that. Luckily Google came to the rescue, and I've linked to your website with credit now!

I'm the green Goblin Knight (the Kermit knight) :D J Randall Self, Oliver Kasiske, and Shana Lee Kim are the others. Our Jim Henson is D Warren Rose. I'm so happy you liked the WANTED poster. Randall came up with that the day before, and I whipped then up last minute! I also had a Labyrinth faerie in a cage on my saddle (I also carried it on my belt when I was walking around without my mount). They were so much fun to do. I'm pleased as punch that you enjoyed them and thank you so much for the images.